The accused killer of a 26-year-old Milford man found stabbed to death at his home on New Year’s Eve had a previous relationship with the victim’s girlfriend and was under a personal protection order she obtained last month, officials said.
Peyton Bilbia was found dead inside his residence at Milford Park Apartments on Dec. 31, 2025. Police officers discovered his body while conducting a welfare check as requested by Bibia’s girlfriend who reportedly hadn’t been able to make contact with him for an extended period of time.
Peyton Bilbia (family photo via GoFundMe, organized by Kayla Bilbia and Matt Bilbia)
Matthew Frank Molinaro, 29, of Sterling Heights was arrested hours later by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Apprehension Team while he was attending a New Year’s Eve celebration at a Royal Oak nightclub.
On Jan. 4, Molinaro was arraigned on a first-degree murder charge for the homicide.
Bilbia’s cause of death was multiple stab wounds, officials said.
Matthew Frank Molinaro (photo from Milford Police Dept.)
Molinaro is held in the Oakland County Jail, denied bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 14 for a probable cause conference before 52-1 District Judge Robert Bondy.
“I completely endorse the prosecutor’s decision,” Milford Police Chief Scott Tarasiewicz stated in a news release. “The evidence in this case supports the harshest of criminal charges.”
Added Prosecutor Karen McDonald: “Peyton Bilibia should be with us today. Instead, his life was cut short because of what appears to be a domestic dispute. This case is a tragic reminder that the danger from domestic violence doesn’t end when a relationship ends.”
First-degree murder is punishable by life in prison.
Milford Park Apartments on East Summit Street, where Peyton Bilbia was found dead on New Year’s Eve in an apparent homicide. (Aileen Wingblad/MediaNews Group)
As stated in his obituary, Bilbia was a 2017 Holly High School graduate who grew up in Grand Blanc, and was employed by D.E. McNabb Flooring in New Hudson. He is survived by his parents, Mathew and Abbie (Lahr) Bilbia of Grand Blanc, sisters Makayla Bilbia of Grand Rapids and Ella Bilbia of Grand Blanc, and other family members.
A funeral service is scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday at Sharp Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 6063 Fenton Road in Grand Blanc. The service will be live-streamed and can be viewed via Bilbia’s obituary page.
A GoFundMe account is established to help cover funeral expenses. To pledge a donation, go to https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-peyton.